Methods and apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for cleaning severed heel members from both sides of gapped slide fastener chain by reciprocating a plurality of vibrating elements which are disposed in engagement with the severed heel members and are contoured at their distal ends for driving the severed heel members outwardly from the carrier tapes so as to remove the same without cutting, tearing or otherwise damaging the slide fastener chain.

United States Patent Inventor George B. Moertel Conneautville, Pa. Appl.No. 33,418

Filed Apr. 30, 1970 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 Assignee Textron Inc.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GAPPED SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN 41Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

11.8. CI 29/408, 29/200 D, 29/207 5 D Int. Cl B21d 53/50, 829d 5/00Field of Search 29/207.5 D,

408, 200 D, 426, 33.5, DIG. 46

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,129,498 4/1964 Runnels29/207.5 D X 3,391,441 7/1968 Carlile...... 29/207.5 D X 3,538,58211/1970 Perlman 29/207.05 D 3,541,666 1 1/1970 Van Amburg 29/408 PrimaryExaminerTheron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-Robert L. SpruillAtt0rneyMeech & Field ABSTRACT: Methods and apparatus for cleaningsevered heel members from both sides of gapped slide fastener chain byreciprocating a plurality of vibrating elements which are disposed inengagement with the severed heel members and are contoured at theirdistal ends for driving the severed heel members outwardly from thecarrier tapes so as to remove the same without cutting, tearing orotherwise damaging the slide fastener chain.

PATENTEB JAN 4 I972 SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR GEORGE B. MOERTEL BY m aATTORNEYS PATENTEBJAN 41912 3.631.581

sum 2 0F 4 F S & INVENTOR R 5. GEORGE E. MOERTEL ATTORNEYG PATENTED JAN4 I972 SHEET 3 BF 4 INVENTOR GEORGE B. MOE/2TH ATTORNEYS PATENTED JAN41972 SHEET M UF 4 INV ENTOR GEORGE B. MOERTE'L ATTORNEYS METHODS ANDAPPARATUS FOR CLEANING GAPPED SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relatesgenerally to slide fasteners and more particularly to the removal orcleaning of severed members of filamentary stringers from gapped slidefastener chains.

2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous slide fasteners utilizecoupling elements of the type formed from a continuous length offilamentary material which has been deformed into a series of headelements, a first set of heel members and a second set of heel memberswith each heel member of the first and second sets having a pair ofspaced legs extending in a generally U-shaped configuration and lying ina respective one of spaced parallel planes with one leg of adjacentfirst and second heel members being interconnected by a head element.Such a continuous filamentary stringer is commonly referred to as aladder-type stringer and may be manufactured from any suitable plasticmaterial which, after being formed, can be conveniently attached to acarrier tape.

Generally, in manufacturing a slide fastener incorporating this type ofstringer, the stringer is disposed with the head elements aligned nextto a longitudinal edge of a carrier tape with the first and second setsof heel members overlying respective upper and lower surfaces of thetape. The heel members of the filamentary stringer are thereafterattached to the carrier tape by any suitable means such as by stitchingor braiding such that the protruding head elements from a pair offilamentary stringers may be easily interengaged for effectively joininga pair of carrier tapes. The resulting interengaged article, which iscommonly referred to as continuous slide fastener chain, can then bestored in some convenient form such as rolls.

In order to form individual slide fasteners of a given size or length,the above-described continuous chain is fed through cutting machinessuch that a predetermined number of head elements are severed from theirrespective heel members at preselected spaced intervals along the chain.This operation is known as gapping, and the spacing between adjacentgaps primarily determines the length of the individual slide fasteners.The continuous gapped chain, which has the severed heel members stillattached to the tapes by the stitching or braiding, is then moved to asubsequent station where the severed heel members are removed or cleanedfrom the tape.

While a number of techniques have been devised in the prior art forcleaning or removing the severed heel members from the gapped chain,they have not proven entirely satisfactory since they typically cut ortear either the stitching or the carrier tape resulting in anunsatisfactory finished product. One conventional technique, forexample, employs an abrasive or grinding step which grinds the severedheel portions from the slide fastener chain with obvious detrimentalresults. Another exemplary gap cleaning process involves the ratherexpensive step of manually picking off the filamentary stringer residuein the gapped portions of the slide fastener chain. These and otherprior art techniques have not generally proven satisfactory since theyare costly, time consuming and often result in slide fastener chainswhich contain severed or torn threads within the gapped areas. While theproblems associated with the cleaning of gapped slide fastener chainshave been recognized for a considerable period of time, a simple andeffective technique for rapidly and efficiently removing filamentaryfastener elements from the carrier tape of a continuous slide fastenerchain without disturbing either the tape itself or the stitchingemployed to bind the filament to the fastener has heretofore beenunavailable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to clean or remove severed fastener elements from slidefastener chains employing continuous filamentary stringers.

The present invention is summarized in methods and apparatus forcleaning gapped slide fastener chains, the methods being generallycharacterized as including the steps of applying a longitudinal tensileforce to the slide fastener chain, positioning a first plurality ofvibrating elements adjacent the top surface of the chain, positioning asecond plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the bottom surface ofthe chain, reciprocating the plurality of vibrating elementstransversely of the slide fastener chain, and moving the slide fastenerchain such that severed filamentary stringer members are sequentiallycontacted by the vibrating elements and are removed thereby.

The present invention has a further object in that cut heel membersoverlying both sides of a gapped slide fastener chain are removedwithout tearing or severing the stitching or braiding that retains suchmembers.

A further object of this invention is to clean or remove severedfilamentary fastener elements from both sides of a slide fastener chainby a simple and inexpensive method.

The present invention has an additional object in the construction of asimple apparatus for efficiently cleaning or removing severedfilamentary fastener elements from both sides of a slide fastenerwithout cutting or tearing the stitching threads employed to bind thefilamentary stringers to the carrier tapes.

Some of the advantages of the present invention reside in its simplicityof construction, economy of operation, effectiveness in cleaning, andability to remove severed fastener elements without damaging the slidefastener chain.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the preferred embodimenttaken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective viewof a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning gapped slidefastener chain according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a detail of a vibrating element of theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the vibrating element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of anapparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a exploded perspective view of a detail of the apparatus ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a detail of a vibrating element of theapparatus of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the vibrating element of FIG. l0.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5,there is shown a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for cleaninggapped slide fastener chain according to the present invention. As shownin the drawings, the present invention is adapted to operate upon agapped continuous slide fastener chain 20 of the type including a pairof interengaged continuous filamentary stringers 22 and 122, each havinga plurality of generally U-shaped upper heel members 24, 124 and aplurality of generally U-shaped lower heel members 26, 126interconnected by a plurality of head elements 28,128. The slidefastener chain 20 additionally includes a pair of continuous carriertapes 30 and 130 upon which the filamentary stringers 22 and 122 areattached.

The filamentary stringers 22 and 122 are disposed with their respectivehead elements 28, I28 aligned adjacent longitudinal edges of the carriertapes 30 and 130 with the upper and lower heel members overlyingrespective upper and lower surfaces of the tape as illustrated. The heelmembers of the filamentary stringers are thereafter attached to thecarrier tapes by any suitable means such as by stitching or braidingsuch that the protruding head elements may be easily interengaged foreffectively joining the two carrier tapes 30 and 130. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the stitching may take the form of a pair of continuousstitching threads 32, I32, and 34, 134 for each of the filamentarystringers 22, 122 such that the fastener elements are securely attachedto the carrier tapes.

After the filamentary stringers have been sewn to the carrier tapes, thecontinuous slide fastener chain is fed through suitable machines suchthat a predetermined number of head elements are severed from theirrespective heel members at preselected spaced intervals along the chainto provide a spaced series of gaps, one of which being generally shownat 36 in FIG. 1. Such a gap may be produced by any suitable techniquesuch as by first placing the slide fastener chain upon a die member (notshown) having an elongated groove corresponding in length to the desiredlength of the gap, firmly holding the carrier tapes in place over thedie member, and then moving a suitable punch down through the headelements of the two filamentary stringers and into the elongated groovewithin the die member so as to cleanly sever the head elements fromtheir respective heel members. The punch is then removed from the diemember, and the slide fastener chain is longitudinally displaced by apreselected distance corresponding to the approximate length of adesired finished slide fastener whereupon the above-recited gappingprocess is repeated. The gapped continuous slide fastener chainthereafter may be stored in bolts or reels or may be collected within asuitable bin from which the slide fastener chain is drawn for thesubsequent gap cleaning operation.

With the above background material in mind and referring to FIGS. 1through 5, there is illustrated an embodiment of an apparatus forcleaning gapped slide fastener chains according to the presentinvention. The apparatus includes a pair of parallel rollers 38 havingtheir axes horizontally aligned in a vertical plane as shown. Rollers 38are biased together by any suitable means, such as springs (not shown),such that the continuous slide fastener chain may be inserted and heldtherebetween. A second set of parallel rollers 40 are disposed in theidentical manner as that of rollers 38 and are similarly biasedtogether, as by springs. Rollers 38 and 40 are respec tively positionedin front of and behind a vibrating station, indicated generally at 42,with rollers 38 being partially constrained against rotation and with adriving force being applied through rollers 40 by any conventionalmeans, such as a suitable drive motor (not shown). In this manner, thegapped slide fastener chain 20 is placed in tension between rollers 38and 40 and is moved through the vibrating station 42 at an approximatelyconstant rate and in a direction away from rollers 38 and toward rollers40.

Vibrating station 41 includes a generally U-shaped guide block 44 havinga pair of vertically aligned legs 46 and 48 joined at their lower endsby a horizontal member 50. Each of the vertical legs 46 and 48 issubstantially rectangular in configuration, and the upper surface of thehorizontal member 50 is slightly peaked so as to form a pair ofdownwardly directed sloping surfaces 52 and 54 (FIG. 2).

A pair of longitudinal grooves 56 and 58 are centrally disposed in theupper surfaces of vertical leg members 46 and 48, respectively, of theguide block 44. Longitudinal grooves 56 and 58 are substantiallyidentical and have a width which is sufi'rciently large to accommodatethe entire width of the slide fastener chain 20, as can best bevisualized in FIG. 1. Additional longitudinal grooves 60 and 62 arecentrally disposed along the bottom of grooves 56 and 58, respectively,such that the lower heel members 26 and 126 of the interengaged slidefastener chain 20 may be accommodated therein as the slide fastenerchain 20 is moved through vibrating station 42. A pair of generally flatrectangular cover plates 64 and 66 are mounted atop the vertical legs 46and 48, respectively, of the guide block 44 and each contain a firstcentrally disposed longitudinal groove 68, 70 which is substantiallyidentical to and is aligned in superposition with a respective one oflongitudinal grooves 56 and 58 of guide block 44. Cover plates 64 and 66each contain a second centrally disposed longitudinal groove 72, 74which is substantially identical to and is in superposition with arespective one of longitudinal grooves 60 and 62. In this manner, thelongitudinal grooves within the vertical legs 46 and 48 of guide block44 and those within cover plates 64 and 66 cooperate to define first andsecond longitudinal channels so sized that the slide fastener chain 20may be readily accommodated therein such that longitudinal movement ofthe chain is unrestricted while lateral movement thereof is prevented.It should be understood, of course, that while the above-described guideassembly is preferred, any suitable technique may be utilized with equalefficacy provided that the slide fastener chain 20 be permitted tofreely move through the vibrating station 42 while at the same time itis prevented from being transversely displaced as the severed heelmembers in the gapped areas of the slide fastener chain are beingremoved.

The vibrating station 42 further includes a pair of vibrators 76 and 78positioned one on each side of guide block 44, each being adapted toimpart a transverse vibratory motion to a pair of spaced lower rods 80and 82, and 84 and 86 respectively, as well as a pair of spaced upperrods 88 and 90, and 92 and 94, respectively, which extend from vibrators76 and 78 into the space generally defined by the inner surface of the Ushaped guide block 44 as shown in FIG. 1. Rods 80, 82, 84 and 86 arespaced apart from each other and are aligned in parallel such that theirdistal ends are alternately disposed under the slide fastener chainbetween the vertically disposed legs 46 and 48 of the guide block 44.Similarly, rods 88, 90, 92 and 94 are spaced apart from each other andare aligned in parallel such that their distal ends are alternatelydisposed above the slide fastener chain between vertical legs 46 and 48.It is noted that each of the vibrators 76 and 78 may be of any suitableconstruction and, for example, may include an electric motor linked tothe rods by a camming mechanism such that the rods of each vibrator areperiodically displaced through a single cycle of transverse movementupon each revolution of the electric motor. Thus, any of variousconventional techniques may be employed for imparting the desiredvibratory or reciprocal movement to the rods, whereby vibrator 76 movesrods 80, 82 88 and 90 left-to-right, then right-to-left, etc., whilevibrator 78 similarly moves rods 84, 86, 92 and 94 with rods 80, 82, 88and 90 moving in the opposite direction from rods 84, 86, 92 and 94. Inthis manner, both vertically and horizontally adjacent rods may move inopposite directions so as to maintain proper lateral alignment of theslide fastener chain 20 as it moves between vertical legs 46 and 48 ofthe guide block 44 during operation, as will be more fully describedbelow.

It is noted that the length of each of the vibrating rods issubstantially greater than its width with the rods rigidly attached totheir respective vibrators 76 and 78 in a cantilever like manner. As aresult of this construction, the rods, which are preferably made of asomewhat resilient rigid material, are self-biased at their distal endstowards each other such that the upper and lower rods respectivelyengage the upper and lower heel members of the filamentary stringers 22and 122 of the slide fastener chain 20 as the chain passes therebetween.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the cross section of each of the vibratingrods is generally square throughout most of its length with the heightof each rod reduced at its distal end such that a horizontal surface ofeach rod is offset with the cross section at such end becoming generallyrectangular. Formed upon the upper surface of the distal ends of rods84, 80, 86, and 82 is a respective one of a plurality of vibrating heads100, I02, I04, and 106. Similarly formed upon the undersurface of thedistal ends of rods 88, 92, 90, and 94 is a respective one of aplurality of vibrating heads 108, 110, 112, and 114. As seen in FIG. 2,all of the vibrating heads may be substantially identical inconfiguration and only vibrating head 106 will be described in detailfor the sake of brevity; it is important to note, however, that whilethe general shape of the various vibrating heads of the presentinvention may be substantially identical, the width of each vibratinghead of the upper and lower vibrating rods, respectively, is differentfrom each other with the vibrating heads being positioned in order ofincreasing width such that the various vibrating heads of each of theupper and lower sets of vibrating rods cooperate with each other to forma generally wedge-shaped protrusion for removing the severed heelmembers of the slide fastener chain.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the distal end of vibrating rod 02 is shownin detail illustrating the general configuration of vibrating head 106.Vibrating head 106 has first and second flat vertical sidewalls 116 and118 which are contiguous with the sidewalls of rod 82. The vibratinghead additionally includes first and second generally vertical sidewalls120 and 122 which are obliquely disposed with respect to the center lineof travel of the slide fastener chain such that the vibrating head has agenerally trapezoidal horizontal cross section, as can be seen in FIG.4. The obliquely disposed sidewalls 120 and 122 are substantiallyvertical however they may be angled slightly as shown in FIG. 5 so as togive the vibrating head a generally trapezoidal cross section in avertical plane normal to the center line of travel of the slide fastenerchain 20. it is reiterated that while the general configuration of eachof the vibrating heads may be similar, the width of each vibrating headof each of the lower and upper sets of vibrating rods is different fromeach other with the widest dimension of one head being substantiallyequal to the narrowest dimension of its next adjacent head, as seen inFIG. 2. In this manner, the vibrating heads of the lower set ofvibrating rods as well as the vibrating heads of the upper set ofvibrating rods cooperate to form a contiguous wedgelike operatingsurface for removing severed heel members from the chain 20. It is notedthat the offset surface of the distal ends of each of the vibrating rodsin the vicinity of the vibrating heads assures free movement of theslide fastener chain through the vibrating station 412 and prevents thecarrier tapes from becoming jammed in between the upper and lower setsof vibrating elements.

In operation, the gapped continuous slide fastener chain 20 is threadedbetween restraining rollers 38, and thence is fed through the channelformed by grooves 56, 60, 63 and 72 wherein it is maintained in agenerally horizontal planar configuration. The slide fastener chain isthen fed between the upper and lower sets of vibrating rods which,because of their self-biasing action, must be forced apart toaccommodate the slide fastener chain whereby the vibrating heads firmlyengage the upper and lower heel members of each of the filamentarystringers. The slide fastener chain 20 is then fed through the channelformed by grooves 56, 62, 70 and 74 and thence is threaded between driverollers 40. When power is applied to the drive rollers 40, the gappedslide fastener chain is moved against the constraining force of rollers38 through the vibrating station 42 whereupon the severed heel membersin the gapped area are removed by the vibratory motion of the vibratingheads 100-114 imparted thereto through rods 80-34 by vibrators 76 and78.

Referring more specifically to the operation of the vibrating heads100-114, as the slide fastener chain is moved between the vertical legs46 and d8 of guide block 44, the upper and lower heel members of theinterengaged filamentary stringers 22, 122 will be sequentiallycontacted by the upper vibrating heads 108, 110, 112, and 114 and thelower vibrating heads 100, 102, 104 and 106, respectively. As a gappedarea of the slide fastener chain 20 passes through the vibrating station42, the severed heel members therein will first be contacted by uppervibrating head 108 and lower vibrating head 100. Since the distal endsof each of the vibrating rods are movable independently of each other,and since the removed head elements of the filamentary stringers in thegapped areas leave a narrow slot through the chain, the relativelynarrow vibrating head 108 and 100 will tend to move into the slot in thegap, as a result of their self-biasing, while the remaining vibratingheads are riding upon the intact heel members which immediately proceedthe gap. Thereafter, with the first upper and lower vibrating heads 108and 100, respectively, reciprocating within the initial portion of thegap, the vibratory motion imparted to the generally wedge-shaped headwill begin to drive the severed upper and lower members out form undertheir respective stitching heads so as to move the severed heel membersapart by a sufiicient amount to permit the ingress of the second upperand lower vibrating heads 110 and 102, respectively, into the gap. Thesecond vibrating heads operate in a similar manner to that describedabove and serve to drive the severed heel members of the filamentarystringers further apart such that the third and then the fourthvibrating heads ride down into the gap and continue to drive the severedheel members from the chain. As a result, by the time the gapped area ofthe slide fastener chain has completely passed between the vibratingrods of the vibrating station 42, all of the severed upper heel memberswill have been removed from the slide fastener chain by the uppervibrating heads 108414 while all of the severed lower heel members willhave been similarly removed by the simultaneous action of the lowervibrating heads -106.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper vibrating heads sequentially act upon thesevered upper heel members at the same time that the lower vibratingheads are operating upon the severed lower heel members so as toeffectively clean the upper and lower portions of the gapped areas ofthe chain at the same time. It is additionally noted that the slopingupper surfaces 52 and 54 of the horizontal portion of guide block 44cause the removed heel members to slide away from the operating area ofthe vibrating station whereupon the filamentary stringer residue may becollected by any suitable technique at a location remote from thevibrating heads where it will not interfere with the gap cleaningoperation.

It should be understood of course that various numbers of vibrating rodsand heads may be employed for various different slide fastener chainsfed through the cleaning apparatus of the present invention dependingupon the particular operational characteristics desired such as thespeed at which the chain passes through the vibrating station 42. It isalso important to note that as a direct result of the vibratory gapcleaning technique described above, the cleaned gap (shown in the lowerright of FIG. 1) is free of severed or frayed edges, and the stitchingthreads 34, 134 and 36, 136 are unbroken and unharmed. This is acritical factor in the manufacture of quality slide fasteners since thegapped and cleaned area is at the top of the finished slide fastener andoccupies a relatively prominent position when sewn in a garment.Furthermore, any frayed or loose threads may cause undesireable foldingof the slider of a completed fastener and may cause fouling ofmanufacturing apparatus employed subsequent to the gapping and cleaningprocesses such as that used to place top stops on the fastener. Thus,due to the action of the vibratory heads 100-106 upon the severed lowerheel members and the action of vibrating head 108-114 upon the severedupper heel members, the gapped slide fastener chain is efficientlycleaned while the carrier tapes as well as the stitching threads areundamaged and remain intact resulting in a high quality finished producthaving improved operating and aesthetic characteristics over similarprior art devices.

A second embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastenerchains according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6through 11 and identical numbers are used to identify structure which isidentical to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5.

As in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, a gappedslide fastener chain 20 is placed in tension between rollers 38 and 40for movement through a vibrating station 200 at an approximatelyconstant rate and in a direction away from rollers 38 and toward rollers40. The vibrating station 200 includes a generally U-shaped guide block202 having a pair of vertical legs 204 and 206 (FIG. 7) joined at theirlower ends by a horizontal member 208. Each of the vertical legs 204 and2% is substantially rectangular in configuration, and the upper surfaceof the horizontal member 51' is slightly peaked so as to form a pair ofdownwardly directed sloping surfaces 210 and 121.

Disposed atop vertical leg 2% of guide block 202 is a flat, generallyT-shaped guide member 214 with the top of the T overlying the uppersurface of vertical leg 2045 and the leg of the T extending in acantileverlike manner over sloping surfaces 210 and 121 of horizontalmember 268 in a direction toward vertical leg 206. The guide member 214defines a longitudinally oriented groove 216 which is centrally disposedalong the leg of the T-shaped guide. A cover member 218 is mounted atopthe guide member 124 in superposition with vertical leg 204 and containsa first centrally disposed longitudinal flat groove 220 and a secondnarrower but deeper centrally aligned groove 222. It is noted that as inthe abovedescribed embodiment, guide member 214 cooperates with covermember 218 to define a suitable channel therethrough for supporting theslide fastener chain as it passes through the vibrating station 260. Inaddition, longitudinal groove 216 in the leg of guide member 214provides a means of laterally supporting the undersurface of the slidefastener chain while the severed upper heel members within the gappedareas of the chain are being removed,

A set of upper vibrating rods, illustrated generally at 224 is mountedabove guide member 214 for removing or cleaning severed upper heelmembers from the chain 20. The upper vibrating rods 224, which areillustrated as being six in number, are substantially identical inconstruction with those of the previously described embodiment of thepresent invention as can be seen by a comparison of FIGS. and 11 andFIGS. 4 and 5. As before, the upper vibrating rods 224 have formed uponthe undersurface of their distal ends one of a plurality of vibratingheads, indicated generally at 226, each having a generally trapezoidalhorizontal cross section as well as a generally trapezoidal verticalsection in a plane normal to the center line' of travel of the slidefastener chain 20. Each of the vibrating heads of the individualvibrating rods have a different width and are aligned in order ofincreasing width so as to provide a generally wedgeshaped vibratingsurface for removing the severed upper heel members of the gapped chain.

A guide plate 228, which is substantially identical in construction withcover plate 218, includes a first centrally aligned longitudinal groove230 and a second similarly aligned groove 232 and is adapted to bemounted upon the upper surface of vertical leg 2&5 of the guide block202. A generally flat T-shaped guide member 234, which is generallysimilar in construction with guide member 214, has the top portion ofthe T overlying guide plate 228 with its leg member longitudinallyaligned with the leg member of guide 214 in a cantileverlike manner.Guide member 234 defines a longitudinally disposed groove 236 runningcentrally through the top portion of the T so as to provide a matingchannel for groove 232 of the guide plate 228 for accommodating theslide fastener chain 20. Furthermore, the undersurface of the leg memberof guide 234 is serrated so as to define a plurality of longitudinallyaligned parallel grooves indicated generally at 238 which serve tolaterally support the upper surface of the slide fastener chain in thegapped areas where the severed upper heel members have already beenremoved by the upper vibrating heads 226.

Positioned under the serrated leg of guide member 234 is a plurality oflower vibrating rods 240 which are illustrated as being six in numberand upon which are formed at their distal ends one of a plurality ofvibrating heads 242. The vibrating heads 242 of the lower set ofvibrating rods 24th are similar in construction to those of the uppervibrating rods 22 (illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11) and therefore willnot be described again for the sake of brevity. Alternate ones of upperand lower vibrating rods 224 and 240, respectively, are proximallyattached to one of a pair of vibrators 244 and 246 which are adapted toreciprocate the vibrating rods transversely of the slide fastener chainin a manner similar to that described above with respect to theembodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. Inother words each adjacent vibrating rod is adapted to be reciprocated ina direction which may be opposite that of its next adjacent vibratingrod so as to assure the maintenance of lateral alignment of the carriertapes of the slide fastener chain as the chain is passing through thevibrating station 200. It is noted that each of the vibrators 244 and246 may be of any suitable construction as briefly explained withrespect to the abovedescribed embodiment.

While the operation of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 11is substantially similar to that of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1through 5, and thus will not be described in detail for the sake ofbrevity, the two-stage cleaning action of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 6through 11 will be briefly outlined below.

As a gapped area of the slide fastener chain 20 passes through vibratingstation 200, it is first guided through the channel defined by groove216 of guide member 214 and grooves 220 and 222 of cover member 218whereupon the extended longitudinal groove 216 supports the severedlower heel members so as to preclude lateral separation of the twocarrier tapes of the chain while the upper head elements 226 ofvibrating rods 224 are driving the severed upper heel members outwardlyfrom under their respective stitching threads to clean the upper surfaceof the slide fastener chain. Thus, the apparatus of the first stage ofthe cleaning process laterally supports the lower surface of the slidefastener chain so as to prevent tape separation while the severed upperheel members are being removed by the vibrating action of thewedgeshaped vibrating heads 226. Such action is diagrammaticallyoutlined in FIG. 8 which illustrates a sectional view taken along line88 of FIG. 6.

Subsequent to the removal of the severed upper heel members by the uppervibrating elements 226, the gapped area of the slide fastener chainlongitudinally progresses to the point where the serrated surface 238 ofthe upper guide member 234 frictionally engages the upper sides of thecarrier tapes where the severed upper heel members have been removed. Asa result, the carrier tapes are precluded from laterally separating asthe severed lower heel members of the chain are sequentially beingcontacted by the progressively larger wedge-shaped vibrating heads 242of the plurality of lower vibrating rods 240. Thus, during the secondstate of cleaning the cleaned upper surfaces of the carrier tapes arefrictionally engaged by the serrated lower surface of guide member 234while the severed lower heel members are being driven outwardly fromunder their respectively stitching threads (see FIG. 9).

Thus, the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6-11operates to first clean or remove the severed upper heel members fromthe slide fastener chain and then to clean or remove the severed lowerheel members therefrom while, at each stage, the two carrier tapes areprevented from undesirably separating apart from each other as thevibrating heads are sequentially engaging the severed members of thefilamentary stringers.

As in the previous embodiment of the present invention, the cleaned gapof the slide fastener chain produced by the abovedescribed apparatus isfree of severed or frayed edges, and the stitching threads are intactand undamaged. This, slide fastener chains cleaned by the abovedescribed apparatus are of a high quality and do not contain frayed orloose threads which may cause undesirable fouling of the slider of acompleted fastener.

Many of the advantages of the present invention can be seen in theabove-described simple method by which gapped slide fastener chain iscleaned, which method may be summarized as including essentially thesteps of applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastenerchain, positioning a first set of vibrating elements adjacent the topsurfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the upper heel members,positioning a second set of vibrating elements adjacent the bottomsurfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the lower heel members,reciprocating the vibrating elements transversely of the slide fastenerchain, and moving the slide fastener chain such that the severed heelmembers are sequentially contacted by each of the upper and lowervibrating elements.

Thus, the present invention rapidly and efficiently removes severed heelmembers from both sides of gapped slide fastener chains so as to produceslide fastener chains wherein the gapped areas are flexible, free fromsevered or frayed threads, and are not prone to unraveling.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations,modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

ll. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type havinga pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along theirrespective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentarystringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacentones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel membersoverlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes,each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel memberssevered from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to forma plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of:

applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain;

positioning a first plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the topsurfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of upperheel members;

positioning a second plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the bottomsurfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lowerheel members; reciprocating said plurality of vibrating elements in atransverse direction relative to the slide fastener chain; and

moving the slide fastener chain such that the severed upper and lowerheel members are sequentially contacted by said first and secondplurality of vibrating elements, respectively, whereby the severed upperand lower heel members are removed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said reciprocating step includesreciprocating a first set of said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements and reciprocating a second set of said first andsecond plurality of vibrating elements such that said first and secondsets of vibrating elements move in opposite directions.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said reciprocating step includesreciprocating alternate ones of said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements in opposite directions.

4. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having apair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along theirrespective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentarystringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacentone of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel membersoverlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes,each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel memberssevered from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to forma plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of: l,

applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain;

positioning a set of lower vibrating elements adjacent the bottomsurfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lowerheel members,

positioning a set of upper vibrating elements adjacent the top surfacesof the carrier tapes in supposition with said set of lower vibratingelements and in engagement with the plurality of upper heel members;

reciprocating said upper and lower vibrating elements in a transversedirection relative to the slide fastener chain; and

moving the slide fastener chain between said first and second pluralityof vibrating elements such that the severed upper and lower heel membersare sequentially contacted by said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements, respectively, whereby the severed upper and lowerheel members are simultaneously removed from the carrier tapes.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said reciprocating step includesreciprocating a first plurality of said upper and lower vibratingelements and reciprocating a second plurality of said upper and lowervibrating elements such that said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements move in opposite directions.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said reciprocating step includesreciprocating alternate ones of said upper and lower vibrating elementsin opposite directions.

7. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having apair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along theirrespective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentarystringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacentones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel membersoverlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes,each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel memberssevered from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to forma plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of:

applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain;

supporting the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers in alongitudinally disposed groove such that lateral movement of the carriertapes is limited;

positioning a set of upper vibrating elements over the top surfaces ofthe carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of upper heelmembers;

reciprocating said set of upper vibrating elements transversely of theslide fastener chain;

positioning a serrated guide member adjacent the top surfaces of thecarrier tapes such that lateral movement thereof is limited;

positioning a set of lower vibrating elements under the bottom surfacesof the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lower heelmembers;

reciprocating said set of lower vibrating elements transversely of theslide fastener chain; and

moving the slide fastener chain longitudinally past said set of uppervibrating elements and then past said set of lower vibrating elementswhereby said severed upper and lower heel members are sequentiallyremoved.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said first reciprocating step includesvibrating alternate ones of said upper vibrating elements in oppositedirections.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said second reciprocating step includesvibrating alternate ones of said lower vibrating elements in oppositedirections.

It). The method of claim 7 wherein said first positioning step includesaligning said upper vibrating elements in superposition with saidlongitudinally disposed groove.

M. The method of claim 10 wherein said third positioning step includesaligning said lower vibrating elements such that said serrated guidemember is in superposition therewith.

12. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the typehaving a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carryingalong their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-typefilamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnectingadjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heelmembers overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carriertapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heelmembers severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervalsto form a plurality of gapped areas, comprismg a first plurality ofvibrating elements disposed in a plane for engaging the upper heelmembers of the filamentary stringers,

a second plurality of vibrating elements disposed in a plane forengaging the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers,

means cooperating with said first and second plurality of vibratingelements for applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastenerchain and for longitudinally moving the slide fastener chain plast saidfirst and second plurality of vibrating elements, and

vibrating means cooperating with said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements for reciprocating the same transversely of the slidefastener chain whereby the severed upper and lower heel members areremoved from the carrier tapes.

13. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein a generallywedge-shaped vibrating head is fonned adjacent an end of each of saidfirst plurality of vibrating elements, each vibrating head having a pairof obliquely disposed substantially vertical sides engaging cut ends ofthe severed upper heel members for driving the same outwardly from thecarrier tapes.

14. The invention as recited in claim 13 wherein each of saidwedge-shaped vibrating heads of said first plurality of vibratingelements has a different width and wherein each of said first pluralityof vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other in order ofincreasing vibrating head width whereby said oblique sides of saidvibrating heads form a pair of substantially contiguous obliquesurfaces.

15. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein a generallywedge-shaped vibrating head is formed adjacent an end of each of saidsecond plurality of vibrating elements, each vibrating head having apair of obliquely disposed substantially vertical sides engaging cutends of the severed lower heel members for diving the same outwardlyfrom the carrier tapes.

16. The invention as recited in claim 15 wherein each of saidwedge-shaped vibrating heads of said second plurality of vibratingelements has a different width and wherein each of said second pluralityof vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other in order ofincreasing vibrating head width whereby said oblique sides of saidvibrating heads form a pair of substantially contiguous obliquesurfaces.

17. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein each of said firstplurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other andwherein each of said second plurality of vibrating elements is disposedadjacent each other.

18. The invention as recited in claim 17 wherein said vibrating meansincludes first and second reciprocating means, each cooperating withalternate ones of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements.

19. The invention as recited in claim 18 wherein said first and secondreciprocating means move in opposite directions.

20. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the typehaving a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carryingalong their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-typefilamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnectingadjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heelmembers overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carriertapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heelmembers severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervalsto form a plurality of gapped areas, comprismg means for supporting theslide fastener chain in a generally planar configuration,

a set of lower vibrating elements disposed adjacent the bottom surfaceof the supported slide fastener chain in engagement with the lower heelmembers,

a set of upper vibrating elements disposed adjacent the top surface ofthe supported slide fastener chain in superposition with said set oflower vibrating elements and in engagement with the upper heel members,

means cooperating with said supporting means for longitu dinally movingthe slide fastener chain between said upper and lower sets of vibratingelements under tension, and

reciprocating means cooperating with said upper and lower sets ofvibrating elements for imparting oscillatory movement theretotransversely of the slide fastener chain whereby the severed upper andlower heel member are simultaneously removed from the carrier tapes.

21. The invention as recited in claim 20 wherein said supporting meansincludes guide means defining a generally rectangular inlet channel anda generally rectangular outlet channel, said inlet and outlet channelsbeing horizontally disposed on either side of said sets of upper andlower vibrating elements and each being adapted to accommodate the slidefastener chain whereby lateral movement of the slide fastener chain inthe proximity of said upper and lower vibrating elements is limited.

22. The invention as recited in claim 20 wherein said moving meansincludes a pair of horizontal drive rollers adapted to pull the slidefastener chain therebetween.

23. The invention as recited in claim 22 wherein said moving meansfurther includes a pair of horizontal constraining rollers adapted torestrain the slide fastener chain against longitudinal movement wherebysaid constraining rollers cooperate with said drive roller to move theslide fastener chain past said upper and lower vibrating element undertensron.

24. The invention as recited in claim 20 wherein said reciprocatingmeans includes first and second vibrating means, each cooperating withalternate ones of said upper and lower vibrating elements.

25. The invention as recited in claim 24 wherein said first and secondvibrating means reciprocate in opposite directions.

26. The invention as recited in claim 25 wherein said alternate ones ofsaid upper and lower vibrating elements are attached at one end to theirrespective first and second vibrating means.

27. The invention as recited in claim 26 wherein a generallywedge-shaped projection is formed upon an upper surface of each of saidlower vibrating elements adjacent distal ends thereof, each wedge-shapedprojection having a pair of substantially vertical sides obliquelydisposed with respect to the center line of travel of the slide fastenerchain for engaging cut ends of the severed lower heel members anddividing the same outwardly from their respective carrier tapes.

28. The invention as recited in claim 27 wherein a generallywedge-shaped projection is formed upon a lower surface of each of saidupper vibrating elements adjacent distal ends thereof, each wedge-shapedprojection having a pair of substantially vertical sides obliquelydisposed with respect to the centerline of travel of the slide fastenerchain for engaging cut ends of the severed upper heel members anddriving the same outwardly from their respective carrier tapes.

29. The invention as recited in claim 28 wherein said lower vibratingelement are disposed adjacent each other with said wedge-shapedprojections aligned, and wherein the widest portion of a precedingwedge-shaped projection is substantially equal to the narrowest portionof its next succeeding wedge-shaped projection whereby said projectionsof said set of lower vibrating elements form a substantially contiguouslower heel removing wedge.

30. The invention as recited in claim 29 wherein aid upper vibratingelements are disposed adjacent each other with said wedge-shapedprojections aligned, and wherein the widest portion of a preceedingwedged-shaped projection is substantially equal to the narrowest portionof its next succeeding wedge-shaped projection whereby said projectionof said set of upper vibrating elements form a substantially contiguousupper heel removing wedge.

31. The invention as recited in claim 26 wherein a vibrating head isformed upon an upper surface of each of said lower vibrating elementsand upon a lower surface of each of said upper vibrating elementsadjacent distal ends thereof, each vibrating head having a generallytrapezoidal horizontal cross section.

32. The invention as recited in claim 31 wherein each of said vibratingheads has a generally trapezoidal cross section in a vertical planenormal to the centerline of travel of the slide fastener chain.

33. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the typehaving a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carryingalong their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-typefilamentary stringer having a plurality of had elements interconnectingadjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heelmembers overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carriertapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heelmembers severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervalsto form a plurality of gapped areas, comprising first guide means havinga longitudinal groove therein adapted to accommodate the lower heelmembers of the filamentary stringers whereby lateral movement of thecarrier tapes is limited,

a first plurality of vibrating elements disposed above said first guidemeans for engaging the upper heel members of the filamentary stringerssecond guide means mounted adjacent said first guide means and having aserrated surface defining a plurality of longitudinally orientedparallel grooves and adapted to engage the top surfaces of the carriertapes whereby lateral movement thereof is limited,

a second plurality of vibrating elements disposed under said secondguide means for engaging the lower heel members of the filamentarystringers,

means cooperating with said first and second guide means for moving theslide fastener chain through said first and second guide means and pastsaid first and second plurality of vibrating elements under tension, and

vibrating means connected with said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements for reciprocating the same in a direction transverseto the slide fastener chain whereby the severed upper and lower heelmembers are removed from the carrier tapes.

34. The invention as recited in claim 33 wherein said vibrating meansincludes first and second reciprocating means respectively connectedwith alternate ones of said first and second plurality of vibratingelements.

35. The invention as recited in claim 34 wherein said first and secondreciprocating means vibrate din opposite directions.

36. The invention as recited in claim 33 wherein each of said firstplurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other in ahorizontal plane.

37. The invention as recited in claim 36 wherein said second guide meansis disposed in said horizontal plane adjacent said first plurality ofvibrating elements.

38. The invention as recited in claim 37 wherein each of said secondplurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other inanother horizontal plane.

39. The invention as recited in claim 38 wherein said first guide meansis disposed in said other horizontal plane adjacent said secondplurality of vibrating elements.

40. The invention as recited in claim 39 wherein each of said firstplurality of vibrating elements includes a downwardly directedprojection formed upon a lower surface thereon in supposition with saidgroove in said first guide means, said projections cooperating toprovide a substantially contiguous wedge-shaped vibratory camming memberfor removing severed upper heel members.

41. The intention as recited in claim 40 wherein each of said secondplurality of vibrating elements includes an upwardly directed projectionfonned upon an upper surface thereof directly under said second guidemeans, said projections cooperating to provide a substantial? contiguouswedgeshaped vibratory camming member or removing severed lower heelmembers.

1. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having apair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along theirrespective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentaryStringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacentones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel membersoverlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes,each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel memberssevered from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to forma plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of:applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain;positioning a first plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the topsurfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of upperheel members; positioning a second plurality of vibrating elementsadjacent the bottom surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with theplurality of lower heel members; reciprocating said plurality ofvibrating elements in a transverse direction relative to the slidefastener chain; and moving the slide fastener chain such that thesevered upper and lower heel members are sequentially contacted by saidfirst and second plurality of vibrating elements, respectively, wherebythe severed upper and lower heel members are removed.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said reciprocating step includes reciprocating a firstset of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements andreciprocating a second set of said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements such that said first and second sets of vibratingelements move in opposite directions.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid reciprocating step includes reciprocating alternate ones of saidfirst and second plurality of vibrating elements in opposite directions.4. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having apair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along theirrespective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentarystringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacentones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel membersoverlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes,each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel memberssevered from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to forma plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of:applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain;positioning a set of lower vibrating elements adjacent the bottomsurfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lowerheel members, positioning a set of upper vibrating elements adjacent thetop surfaces of the carrier tapes in superposition with said set oflower vibrating elements and in engagement with the plurality of upperheel members; reciprocating said upper and lower vibrating elements in atransverse direction relative to the slide fastener chain; and movingthe slide fastener chain between said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements such that the severed upper and lower heel membersare sequentially contacted by said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements, respectively, whereby the severed upper and lowerheel members are simultaneously removed from the carrier tapes.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein said reciprocating step includes reciprocatinga first plurality of said upper and lower vibrating elements andreciprocating a second plurality of said upper and lower vibratingelements such that said first and second plurality of vibrating elementsmove in opposite directions.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein saidreciprocating step includes reciprocating alternate ones of said upperand lower vibrating elements in opposite directions.
 7. A method ofcleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair ofcarrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along theirrespective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentarystringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacentones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel membersoverlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes,each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel memberssevered from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to forma plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of:applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain;supporting the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers in alongitudinally disposed groove such that lateral movement of the carriertapes is limited; positioning a set of upper vibrating elements over thetop surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality ofupper heel members; reciprocating said set of upper vibrating elementstransversely of the slide fastener chain; positioning a serrated guidemember adjacent the top surfaces of the carrier tapes such that lateralmovement thereof is limited; positioning a set of lower vibratingelements under the bottom surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagementwith the plurality of lower heel members; reciprocating said set oflower vibrating elements transversely of the slide fastener chain; andmoving the slide fastener chain longitudinally past said set of uppervibrating elements and then past said set of lower vibrating elementswhereby said severed upper and lower heel members are sequentiallyremoved.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said first reciprocating stepincludes vibrating alternate ones of said upper vibrating elements inopposite directions.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said secondreciprocating step includes vibrating alternate ones of said lowervibrating elements in opposite directions.
 10. The method of claim 7wherein said first positioning step includes aligning said uppervibrating elements in superposition with said longitudinally disposedgroove.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said third positioning stepincludes aligning said lower vibrating elements such that said serratedguide member is in superposition therewith.
 12. Apparatus for cleaninggapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapeslying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacentlongitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a pluralityof head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality ofgenerally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottomsurfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringerhaving a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from theirrespective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality ofgapped areas, comprising a first plurality of vibrating elementsdisposed in a plane for engaging the upper heel members of thefilamentary stringers, a second plurality of vibrating elements disposedin a plane for engaging the lower heel members of the filamentarystringers, means cooperating with said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements for applying a longitudinal tensile force to theslide fastener chain and for longitudinally moving the slide fastenerchain past said first and second plurality of vibrating elements, andvibrating means cooperating with said first and second plurality ofvibrating elements for reciprocating the same transversely of the slidefastener chain whereby the severed upper and lower heel members areremoved from the carrier tapes.
 13. The invention as recited in claim 12wherein a generally wedge-shaped vibrating head is formed adjacent anend of each of said first plurality of vibrating elements, eachvibrating head having a pair of obliquely disposed substantiallyvertical sides engaging cut ends of the severed upper heel members fordriving the same outwardly from the carrier tapes.
 14. The invention asrecited in claim 13 wherein each of said wedge-shaped vibrating heads ofsaid first plurality of vibrating elements has a different width andwherein each of said first plurality of vibrAting elements is disposedadjacent each other in order of increasing vibrating head width wherebysaid oblique sides of said vibrating heads form a pair of substantiallycontiguous oblique surfaces.
 15. The invention as recited in claim 12wherein a generally wedge-shaped vibrating head is formed adjacent anend of each of said second plurality of vibrating elements, eachvibrating head having a pair of obliquely disposed substantiallyvertical sides engaging cut ends of the severed lower heel members fordriving the same outwardly from the carrier tapes.
 16. The invention asrecited in claim 15 wherein each of said wedge-shaped vibrating heads ofsaid second plurality of vibrating elements has a different width andwherein each of said second plurality of vibrating elements is disposedadjacent each other in order of increasing vibrating head width wherebysaid oblique sides of said vibrating heads form a pair of substantiallycontiguous oblique surfaces.
 17. The invention as recited in claim 12wherein each of said first plurality of vibrating elements is disposedadjacent each other and wherein each of said second plurality ofvibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other.
 18. The invention asrecited in claim 17 wherein said vibrating means includes first andsecond reciprocating means, each cooperating with alternate ones of saidfirst and second plurality of vibrating elements.
 19. The invention asrecited in claim 18 wherein said first and second reciprocating meansmove in opposite directions.
 20. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slidefastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in acommon plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinaledges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of headelements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generallyU-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces,respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having aplurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective headelements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas,comprising means for supporting the slide fastener chain in a generallyplanar configuration, a set of lower vibrating elements disposedadjacent the bottom surface of the supported slide fastener chain inengagement with the lower heel members, a set of upper vibratingelements disposed adjacent the top surface of the supported slidefastener chain in superposition with said set of lower vibratingelements and in engagement with the upper heel members, meanscooperating with said supporting means for longitudinally moving theslide fastener chain between said upper and lower sets of vibratingelements under tension, and reciprocating means cooperating with saidupper and lower sets of vibrating elements for imparting oscillatorymovement thereto transversely of the slide fastener chain whereby thesevered upper and lower heel members are simultaneously removed from thecarrier tapes.
 21. The invention as recited in claim 20 wherein saidsupporting means includes guide means defining a generally rectangularinlet channel and a generally rectangular outlet channel, said inlet andoutlet channels being horizontally disposed on either side of said setsof upper and lower vibrating elements and each being adapted toaccommodate the slide fastener chain whereby lateral movement of theslide fastener chain in the proximity of said upper and lower vibratingelements is limited.
 22. The invention as recited in claim 20 whereinsaid moving means includes a pair of horizontal drive rollers adapted topull the slide fastener chain therebetween.
 23. The invention as recitedin claim 22 wherein said moving means further includes a pair ofhorizontal constraining rollers adapted to restrain the slide fastenerchain against longitudinal movement whereby said constraining rollerscooperate with said drive rollers to move the slide fastener chain pastSaid upper and lower vibrating elements under tension.
 24. The inventionas recited in claim 20 wherein said reciprocating means includes firstand second vibrating means, each cooperating with alternate ones of saidupper and lower vibrating elements.
 25. The invention as recited inclaim 24 wherein said first and second vibrating means reciprocate inopposite directions.
 26. The invention as recited in claim 25 whereinsaid alternate ones of said upper and lower vibrating elements areattached at one end to their respective first and second vibratingmeans.
 27. The invention as recited in claim 26 wherein a generallywedge-shaped projection is formed upon an upper surface of each of saidlower vibrating elements adjacent distal ends thereof, each wedge-shapedprojection having a pair of substantially vertical sides obliquelydisposed with respect to the center line of travel of the slide fastenerchain for engaging cut ends of the severed lower heel members anddriving the same outwardly from their respective carrier tapes.
 28. Theinvention as recited in claim 27 wherein a generally wedge-shapedprojection is formed upon a lower surface of each of said uppervibrating elements adjacent distal ends thereof, each wedge-shapedprojection having a pair of substantially vertical sides obliquelydisposed with respect to the centerline of travel of the slide fastenerchain for engaging cut ends of the severed upper heel members anddriving the same outwardly from their respective carrier tapes.
 29. Theinvention as recited in claim 28 wherein said lower vibrating elementsare disposed adjacent each other with said wedge-shaped projectionsaligned, and wherein the widest portion of a preceding wedge-shapedprojection is substantially equal to the narrowest portion of its nextsucceeding wedge-shaped projection whereby said projections of said setof lower vibrating elements form a substantially contiguous lower heelremoving wedge.
 30. The invention as recited in claim 29 wherein aidupper vibrating elements are disposed adjacent each other with saidwedge-shaped projections aligned, and wherein the widest portion of apreceeding wedged-shaped projection is substantially equal to thenarrowest portion of its next succeeding wedge-shaped projection wherebysaid projections of said set of upper vibrating elements form asubstantially contiguous upper heel removing wedge.
 31. The invention asrecited in claim 26 wherein a vibrating head is formed upon an uppersurface of each of said lower vibrating elements and upon a lowersurface of each of said upper vibrating elements adjacent distal endsthereof, each vibrating head having a generally trapezoidal horizontalcross section.
 32. The invention as recited in claim 31 wherein each ofsaid vibrating heads has a generally trapezoidal cross section in avertical plane normal to the center line of travel of the slide fastenerchain.
 33. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of thetype having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carryingalong their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-typefilamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnectingadjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heelmembers overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carriertapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heelmembers severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervalsto form a plurality of gapped areas, comprising first guide means havinga longitudinal groove therein adapted to accommodate the lower heelmembers of the filamentary stringers whereby lateral movement of thecarrier tapes is limited, a first plurality of vibrating elementsdisposed above said first guide means for engaging the upper heelmembers of the filamentary stringers, second guide means mountedadjacent said first guide means and having a serrated surface defining aplurality of longitudinally oriented parAllel grooves and adapted toengage the top surfaces of the carrier tapes whereby lateral movementthereof is limited, a second plurality of vibrating elements disposedunder said second guide means for engaging the lower heel members of thefilamentary stringers, means cooperating with said first and secondguide means for moving the slide fastener chain through said first andsecond guide means and past said first and second plurality of vibratingelements under tension, and vibrating means connected with said firstand second plurality of vibrating elements for reciprocating the same ina direction transverse to the slide fastener chain whereby the severedupper and lower heel members are removed from the carrier tapes.
 34. Theinvention as recited in claim 33 wherein said vibrating means includesfirst and second reciprocating means respectively connected withalternate ones of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements.35. The invention as recited in claim 34 wherein said first and secondreciprocating means vibrate in opposite directions.
 36. The invention asrecited in claim 33 wherein each of said first plurality of vibratingelements is disposed adjacent each other in a horizontal plane.
 37. Theinvention as recited in claim 36 wherein said second guide means isdisposed in said horizontal plane adjacent said first plurality ofvibrating elements.
 38. The invention as recited in claim 37 whereineach of said second plurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacenteach other in another horizontal plane.
 39. The invention as recited inclaim 38 wherein said first guide means is disposed in said otherhorizontal plane adjacent said second plurality of vibrating elements.40. The invention as recited in claim 39 wherein each of said firstplurality of vibrating elements includes a downwardly directedprojection formed upon a lower surface thereof in superposition withsaid groove in said first guide means, said projections cooperating toprovide a substantially contiguous wedge-shaped vibratory camming memberfor removing severed upper heel members.
 41. The intention as recited inclaim 40 wherein each of said second plurality of vibrating elementsincludes an upwardly directed projection formed upon an upper surfacethereof directly under said second guide means, said projectionscooperating to provide a substantially contiguous wedge-shaped vibratorycamming member for removing severed lower heel members.